Eagles

More Reports That Michael Vick Could Stay in Philadelphia

By Kyle Scott

Published: Feb 5th, 2013 · 10:11 AM EST

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When Chip Kelly and his Big Balls (capitalized, out of respect) took the Eagles job, there was some conjecture among NFL writers and pundits that Michael Vick could return to the Eagles to run Kelly’s up-tempo offense. 

Now, some additional evidence that it could happen. 

Last night, Tim McManus, the best Eagles reporter on the planet, who has sources close to Vick, wrote the following on Philly Mag’s Eagles 24/7:

Time helped soothe his frustrations, and the quarterback’s mentality really shifted after talking to Kelly. According to a source close to Vick, the two have had a couple meetings now, and Vick came away very high on the former Oregon coach.

Kelly told reporters down at the Senior Bowl: “I really liked my meeting with Michael.”

None of this guarantees that Vick will be back in an Eagles uniform next season. Kelly needs to not just like Vick, but be convinced that he is the right quarterback to run his offense moving forward. Kelly wants to really study the tape before making a decision. If he comes away certain that Vick is his guy, the next conversation is about the money. Vick is scheduled to make around $16 million next season. There was a report a few weeks back that the signal-caller would be unwilling to restructure his deal. However, that was when the wounds from a trying season were still fresh, and before he got to sit face-to-face with Kelly. It is very possible that tune could change, especially after honest evaluation of his market value.

 

Restructuring the deal is probably the only way the Eagles would bring Vick back. There is a $3 million guarantee for the 2013 season in Vick's contract that kicks in on Friday, but it probably doesn’t matter. Even if the Eagles do nothing this week and then later cut Vick, the money would be paid by his new team (assuming he gets a contract worth more than $3 million). 

The drum beat for Vick staying is getting louder. CBS Radio’s John Kincade tweeted this morning that he heard at the Super Bowl that the Eagles and Vick are trying to renegotiate a deal. 

ESPN’s John Clayton, however, told Mike and Mike this morning that the Eagles could release Vick on Friday, a report that required exactly no effort since, yes, the Eagles could release Michael Vick on the day that most people assume the Eagles will release Michael Vick.

I don’t think Vick is a very good quarterback. In fact, I think he’s generally not that good and full of shit. But, he may be the Eagles' best option this season. Kelly seems to like Foles, but Foles hasn’t shown that he is ready – or will ever be ready – to be a good quarterback. Vick still has a year or two of above average football in his tank, and if there’s one coach who can utilize what speed he has left, it’s Kelly. So, Vick may be the Eagles' best option, which kind of sucks.